Reciclagem de poli(cloreto de vinila - PVC: desafios e oportunidades

Abstract

The increasing global consumption of plastic materials and the consequent rise in waste generation have heightened the focus on the evolution of the circular economy and sustainable waste management. The improper disposal of polymeric waste in the environment has led to harmful consequences, as when deposited in nature, it has the potential to transform into polluting and toxic microplastics. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) stands out for its versatility, favorable properties, and widespread applications (construction, healthcare, packaging), making it one of the most consumed polymers today. In this context, there is significant interest in developing the recycling of PVC resins, expanding the reuse of post-consumer waste and preserving natural resources. However, the production of recycled PVC resins is currently limited compared to other polymer classes. Therefore, this study aims to identify the challenges faced in PVC recycling today and explore the opportunities for advancing this technique. A literature review was conducted in the fields of materials science, engineering, and sustainability, analyzing various experiments to compare theory with practice. Four main challenges were identified: waste separation, PVC thermal stability, impact on mechanical properties, and processing effects. The opportunities associated with these challenges were then discussed, focusing on innovation and the use of new technologies for selecting more satisfactory stabilizers and separation techniques, new routes for PVC polymerization and chemical conversion, waste decontamination, community awareness regarding proper plastic waste disposal. The economical, social, and environmental aspects are also considered.